Storehouse for grain and other material.



PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907.

J. H. ELWARD.

STOREHOUSE FOR GRAIN AND OTHER MATERIAL.

APPLIOATION FILED mum, 190a.

' 2' SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES I PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907.

J. H. ELWARD. STOREHOUSE FOR GRAIN AND OTHER MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.17, 1903.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES .6"

. .zlttorney p rovenients, it. bein section taken on the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUTCHIYNSON, KANSAS.

-JOHN H. ELWARD, or

STOREHOUSE FOR GRAIN AND OTHER MATERIAL.

therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure -1 is a vertical section of a granary, elevator, or storehouse embodying my im- {taken on the line a: a: of

2. Fig. 2 is ajhorizontal section taken on the line y y of Fi 1. Fig. 3 is a cross- Iine 2 2 of Fig. 2. Figs.

4,130 9 show details.

- In the drawings I have shown my improvements as applied to a structure havin a closed bottom, vertical side walls, an a gable cover or roof. I

- A indicates one end wall as a whole, A the opposite end wall, A A the side walls, and A is the bottom or floor. The sides and ends of the building are preferably constructed as shown-that is, with double walls, as at a a, and suitable intermediate studs or up-' rights providin non-conducting spaces which may be free to t e air or may contain packing material, as preferred; but with respect to this and many other details of the construction I wish it understood that I do not limit the invention thereto, as there can be modification in many respects as circumstances or'preiefence may dictate.

In the end walls A A doorways are provided, as shown'at B B. These are closedby doors B preferably opening outward, and on the inner -sides of the door-casings there are movable and adjustable slats B One or more air-trunks are employed, (each indicated as a whole by 0.) These extend from the end wall A to the end wall A and through each of the latter, the externallyprojecting parts being indicated by C C As shown, each trunk is rectangular in crosssection, the walls thereof being formed of vertical and horizontal boards a c. In each of these wall parts of a trunk there are formed numerous relatively large air-passages c Each trunk is surrounded by a sheathing of wire mesh D, the envelop or sheets thereof being placed close to the orifices c and serving as guards or tenders for purposes to be described. At the end of the projecting part C there is a large air-passage Way E provided, which is covered by wire Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filedJanuary 17, 1903. Serial No. 139.452.

' Patented Jan. 29, 1907.

' mesh E, and at E there is a cut-off or damper for closin and opening this aperture, so that the trun lr can at that end be entirely shut off from the outside air. The opposite end portion 0 of each duct extends also to points suitably beyond the outer wall of the building. cut-off, as shown at F, for permitting or preventing the movement of air through this part of the trunk. Adjacent'to the cut-off F there is a screen F placed across the duct.

Air-trunks of the character indicated above It is provided with a valve or are employed to any suitable number corresponding to the size of the chamber in which they are placed and to the volume of the mass of grain upon the floor. Each trunk is preferably supported some distance above the floor, so that the air escaping from tions outward from the trunk.

G indicates an upwardly-extending airtrunk, there being any suitable number of these for each of the horizontal trunks 0. As shown, there are two so arranged as to equally subdivide the longitudinal dimensions of the storehouse. Each consists of normally tight vertical walls. At the bottom it rests upon and communicates with the interior of the horizontal trunk C. At the top it is adapted to be 0 'ened, but can be closed tightly bymeans 0 a cut-off g. Each of the vertical walls of the upright trunk G is provided witha series of movable dampers H, having handles or operating devices at h.

When these dampers are all closed, the trunk- G is air-tight and no air can escape laterally therefrom. Each side wall of the trunk is provided with a series of'relatively large airorifices H, these being behind the movable wall-sections or dampers H. An envelop or sheets of wire mesh H cover the side walls, lying close to the air-apertures H and situated between the stationary wall-pieces and the slides or dampers. pers outward the operator can permit air to escape laterally at any horizontal plane of the storehouse structure that he may desire. For causing currents of air to pass through the ducts that have been described use may be made of any well-known power'devices. Thus reliance can be placed upon the natural circulation of air caused by wind-pressure on the exterior. Thus'at I is an air-funnel or cowl. It has an air-duct at I, which communicates with the outer end part 0 of the air-trunk O. The upper part or hood the trunk shall have access to it in all direc- By moving the damis a dam eror biit dfi' iivliich controls the entrance air from the collector I. If these parts are operative position, it will be seen that when the istcoming from a suitable direction'there' will be aiforcing of; air into the storehouse through; the trunk O, and by the latter it'fwill be distributed through grain that maybe piled around the trunk.

J J represent; a series offans, one for each of the-air-trunks Each fan has rotary 7 blades -j,jmounted on a shaft at j and situated in: casin 7 The fans may be located such position as to advantageously receivev power from the air moving inany direction. m is the connecting-rod extending downso that their p anes-ofrotation are in alinement with the interior of the'adjac'enttrunk C, and the'hl-adesma forcethe air through the trunkinward tot e interior of the build-- ing and through the vertical ducts, .or the end of the trunk may be closedand air may be taken in atthe eyeof the fan.

The fans of the series are'shown as being operated in .commonfrom a'shaft K, mount-- ed on a suitable framework at k. The shaft has for each mechanism a belt-wheel 7:, which is connected by a belt K to an intermediate -or idler wheel K connected'by abelt L with a pulley l on the fan-shaft.

At M-there is an illustration, more or less conventional, .oi a' wind-wheel mounted upon the elevated support M holding thewheel at wand from the wind-wheelt'o the shaft K and rotating the latter when power is received from the wheel. With these devices powerful currents of air can be forced through t e air-trunks when the fan-blades are rotating. The air can also be forced into the interior by means of an air-pump at N, the-piston-rods n of which arec'onnected to a lever 02', ivoted at an, the lever being also connecte to the windmill by a connecting-rod m. The .air under pressure passes from the pump to'the pipe NF-v to the an -trunk C.

At the upper end of each 'vertical trunk G there is .a fan 0, having blades oandthe casinig o. The fansarecapable of reversal and a apted either to draw the air into and up-,

ward through the ducts and discharge it at the upper ends oryto force air downward, ac-

cording as desired. .Thefans receive motion from pulleys or wheels I, connected b belts p to pulleyson the fan-shaftahd each aving p The? cranks are connected to the powersmechanism in any suitable way or may the-turned byhand, and .the fans can be rotated'in eitherdirection asdesired.

At; Qrthe vertical or, upright are p a loose or swiveling" The latter is providedwithmeansforsup ortinganinsecticide or germicide. They s ould be of such character as to allow air to pass'freely in either direction, according as the power devices are operating. I have found that a series of rods a balls or equivalents of porous material, like cotton, can be saturated with it and similarly sup orted, the air being allowed to circulate free y through the poison-holder. Similar su porting-devices for the germicide orpurifylng solution can be placed in the horizontal air-ducts, asshown at Q, at such positioiras to allow the incoming air'to be charged with the insecticide, while the cotton or otherholder for it is prevented from passing in.

At R there is a peculiarly-constructed ventilator at the upper part of the building. It

consists of a series of. slats r, placed in an opening in the side wall, these slats being suitably inclined and preferably shouldered,

as at r. indicates a storm-protectorthat is to say, a supplemental wall in a vertical laneoutside *of the ventilator R and held from t e outer surface of the building, so as to leave copious air-passages at the top and offset walls 1" at a suitable distance the bottom and at the same timeefiectually prevent the entrance of rain or snow. 4

The manner ofusing a granary, elevator, or storehouse constructed with the improvements which I have shownand described will be readily understood. Assuming that a mass ofv grain has been placed in the building of such volume as to extend from the floor A to points above the horizontal air-trunks O say for a couple of feet-and that it is desired to dry the grain and to ventilate it, if the wind or natural movements of the air are sufliciently powerful at the time and it is deslred not to use the power mechanism the tunnel or cowl at I is brought into action, the damper at i being opened,- and such dampers or cut-offs as those at E and F being closed, 7 and with the grain in a mass, such as has been assumed, the Wallsections or dampers H should also be closed and the top cut-offs at g. Under such conditions the air will be driven by natural pressure in at the funnels or cowls I, the ducts'I, and the horizontal trunks C, the grain being assumed as piled or stored around the latter. The air will escape through the apertures or orifices 0 in the horizontal trunks and circulate through the mass of grain and will carry oli moisture and escape through the ventilators at R at the top. Now, assuming that a larger volume of grain has been stored in the buildthe vertical air-trunks, those of the damem or wall-sections at H which are well beow the top of the grain mass should be ving and that the mass rises Well up around opened, and thereupon the air which is being pressed inward through the trunks will not only pass upward laterally and downward from the horizontal trunks esca e laterally from all sides of the u right trun s, and thus throughout the entire mass. In case it is necessary to force the air through the trunks with a pressure greater than that attainable through the funnels or cowls I the Idampers or cut-offs at E can be closed and the windmill or other motor can be put into operation to actuate the fans at J or the air-pump at N. The air forced by these mechanisms is caused to circulate through the grain mass in the manner above described, according as it reaches to a lower or a higher plane in the building.

It is frequently desirable to treat masses of grain that are stored in elevators or houses of this character with materials capable of destroying germs, insects, &c. I have designed the present mechanism in such way that this end can be readily attained. Some of these germicide materials give off fumes or vapors which are considerably heavier than the normal air, and they can be carried to the grain much more efiiciently by beingcaused to travel downward. Under such circumstances and with such materials use is made of supporting devices at Q. Balls of cotton or uivalent absorbent material are placed thereon below the fans 0. Then the cut-offs or valves at E and F are closed at the ends of the horizontal trunks and those at g at the upper ends of the vertical trunks 'are opened and the fans 0 0 set in operation. The downwardly driven air currents carry the fumes or vapors from the germicide materials downward through the trunks G and horizontally through the trunks C, and from these they escape outward and permeate the mass of grain. After the grain has been subjected to such treatment acsufliciently long period of time the air-currents are reversedthat is to say, they are forced inward through the trunks C and upward through the trunks G and outward among the grain and the air stallation may with the fumes or vapors caused to escape at the ventilators R.

A ventilating system comprisingmy invention may be readily installed in barns,

anaries, elevators, and the like which are already constructed. The arrangement of the ventilating-trunks is such that this inbe accomplished without penetrating the roofs of the structures,'which is a matter of considerable importance. Again, the system is one which accommodates itself to the means of farmers in all sections of the country, because all that is necessary in its construction in any granary or barn is the lumber and wire-netting of which the trunks are made. The arrangement of the fans within the building is such as to permit the C, but will also be evenly distri uted.

air to be forced in either directionthrough erator to regulate the ventilating system according to the weather conditions, so that the air in the interior of the compartment can be forced through the grain instead of taking the air in the first instance directly from the exterior of the compartment. Thus it will be seen that I provide a storing mechanism capable of meeting the several ends which are well recognized to be desirable.

As hereinbefore stated, I do not limit myself to all the details here presented for illustration, and I wish it to be further understood that I do not limit the invention to any particular material, for although I have above referred mainly to grain as the substance to be stored, yet it will be seen that other masses of material, such as fruits and the like, can be similarly treated.

What I-claim is- 1. The combination with an inclosed compartment, of a horizontally-disposed box-like duct arranged within said compartment and having one end communicating with the outside air, means at said end of the duct'for controlling the passage of air to or from said duct, vertical ducts arranged entirely within the said compartment, communicating at their lower ends with said horizontal duct tal directions to the mass of, grain within the compartment, and air-forcing means arranged within said compartment and connected with the tops of said vertical ducts for causing the air from within the compartvertical ducts and then through said horizontal duct.

2. The combination with an inclosed compartment, of a horizontally-disposed box-like duct arranged within said compartment and h aving one end communicating with the outside air, means at said end of the duct for controlling the passage of air to or fromsaid duct. vertical ducts arranged entirely within the said compartment, communicating attheir lower ends with said horizontal duct and arranged to distribute air in all horizontal directions to the mass of grain witliin the compartment, air -forcing means arranged within said compartment and connect-ed with the tops of saidvertic-al ducts for causing the air from within the compartment to be forced downward through said vertical ducts and ti en through said horizontal duct, and means for forcing air inward along said vertical ducts.

3. In a storing and ventilating house, the combination with an inclosed compartment, of a horizontally-arranged perforated airtrunk extending throu h said compartment and communicating at 1ts opposite ends with the external air, vertical perforated air-ducts the vertical air-trunks, which enables the opand arranged'to distribute air in all horizonment to be forced downward through said horizontal duct and upward through said down throu h said vertical ducts and then throu h sai horizontal ducts.

4. In a storing and ventilating house, the combination with the inclosed compartment, of the horizontally-arranged air-trunks provided with air-escapes, the vertically-arranged air-trunks communicating with the horizontal air-trunks. closed, at their u per ends and provided with air-escapes, an the series of dampers inclosing said vertical.

trunkswhen shut and adapted to vary the escape area for air therefrom, substantially as set forth.

5. In a storin and ventilating house, the combination with of the horizontally-arranged air-trunks provided with air-escapes, the vertically-arranged trunks communicating with the horizontal trunks and provided with air-escapes,

and a series of dampers arranged to surround said vertical trunks to revent t-ITG escape of air therefrom, substantially as set forth.

6. In a storin and ventilating house, the combination with the inclosed compartment,

of the horizontally-arranged air-trunks provided with air escapes, the vertically arranged trunks communicating with the horizontal trunks and provided with air-escapes,

and a series of dampers arranged to prevent the escape of air from those sections of the verticalducts inclosed by the dampers and to ermit its escape from those sections in which the dampers are not shut, substantially as set forth.

7. In an air-duct for a ventilating system, the combination of the perforated walls forming the duct and the series of dampers arranged edge to edge on all sides of said wall and adapt-ed to vary the-escape area for the air from the duct, substantially as set forth.

8. A ventilator-d uctcomprising a perforatedwall surrounded by a series of adjustable sections, whereby the escape area for the air from-the duct may be varied at will, substantially as set forth.

9. A ventilator-duct comprising a mesh covered perforated tube surrounded by a series of adjustable sections, whereby the escape area for air from the duct may be varied at will, substantially as set forth.

10. A ventilator-duct comprising a perforated tube rectangular in cross-section, and a series of adjustable sections arranged edge the inclosed compartment,

to edge on each side of said.duct and adapted to vary the escape area for the air therefrom, substantially as set forth.

1 1. In a storing and ventilating house, the

combination with the inclosed compartment,

of the vertically-arranged air-trunks adapted to be surrounded by a mass of grain or equivalent material and having two or more of its sides open for air-escape, and a vertical series of adjustable dampers edge to edge on said open sides, and means for delivering airunder pressure to the said vertically-arranged air-"trunks, substantially as set forth.

12. In a storing and ventilating house, the combination with an inclosed compartment, of 1 a horizontally-arranged perforated air- .trunk adapted to be covered over by a mass of grain and to deliver air in all directions thereto and having one end communicating with the external air, a valve at the said end for controlling the passage of air, to and from said horizontal duct, a plurality of verticallyarranged trunks, eachcommunicating with said horizontally-arranged trunk, arranged entirely within said compartment and adapt ed to deliver air-in all orizontaldirections throughout its length, means for varying the area over which air is delivered from said vertical trunks, means arranged at the upper ends of said vertical trunks for forcing air from within said compartment through both said. vertical and horizontal trunks, and

- means connected with the valved end of said horizontal trunk for forcing air into said trunk and into the said vertical trunks.

' 13. In a storing and ventilating house, the combination with an inclosed. compartment,

of a plurality of vertically arranged airtrunks' perforated on all sides throughout their length and provided with a series of adjustable sections adapted to be adjusted to regulate the area over which air may escape horizontally in all directions from said trunks, and means for delivering air under pressure to said vertically-arranged airtrunks.

14. Ina storing and ventilating house, the

combination with an inclosed compartment,

of a plurality of vertically-arranged airtrunks perforated on. all sides throughout their length and adapted to extend through the material to be treated, means for varying the area over which air may escape from said ducts-in all horizontal directions in accordance with the height of the material within the compartment, whereby the entire section of each of said trunks surrounded by said material may be exposed to permit the escape of air therefrom, and means for delivering air under pressure to said trunks.

. 15. In a storing and ventilating house, the combination with an inclosed compartment,

of a plurality of vertically-arranged airtrunks'perforated on all sides throughout their length and adapted to extend through casing inclosing said perforated Walls and the material to be treated, said air-ducts having valved. communication at their upper ends with the interior of said compartment and valved communication at their lower ends with the external air, means for varying adapted to vary the escape area for air from the duct. v I 17. In an air-duct for a ventilating system, 1 the combination of Walls forming the duct and perforated on all sides, and an adjustable the area over which air may escape from said casing inclosing said perforated Walls and ducts in all horizontal directions in accord- 3 vertically adjustableat will to vary the esance with the height of the material within -cape area for air from the duct. the compartment, and means for delivering In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 2 5 air under pressure to said vertically-arranged 1 in presence of two witnesses. air-trunks. 5 JOHN ELWARD.

16. In an air-duct for a ventilating system,

the combination of walls forming the duct and perforated on all sides, and an adjustable l/Vitnesses:

N. CURTIS LAMMOND, E. R. ALEXANDER. 

